Practice Design brings a century of expertise to support and grow architecture profession

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 - -

Four industry specialists have joined forces to provide expert support to the architecture profession in a move to combat tighter market conditions and a trend toward mergers and acquisitions.

Practice Design, founded in South Australia and launched Australia wide this week, will provide industry specialists to undertake strategic and operational activities, freeing up practice principals to concentrate on delivering their own professional services.

Co-founder John Wenzel, former Director for architecture firm Woodhead, says there is a pressing need for directors to have a clearly defined strategic plan.

“We have 100 years of combined wisdom to bring to the table,” Wenzel said. “I have 25 years of experience working with architects – I understand how they think and, from first hand experience, I know what they need in terms of strategic and business support.”

Strategic planning offered by Practice Design will enable practices to redefine their immediate plans as well as decide their position in relation to merger and acquisition activity.

“The first significant move I noticed in the area of mergers and acquisitions was the sale of Sydney based practice Peddle Thorp & Walker, to China Construction Design International, a firm they had partnered in China,” Wenzel said.

“The aim for Practice Design is to make sure directors have their strategy agreed and then organise their business around that strategy.

“Market pressures have also demanded practices streamline their business operations. Keeping abreast of the latest methods and technologies can be a time consuming and overwhelming task.”

“We’ve aggregated a unique team of experts in technology, business operations and practice management to provide clear recommendations tailored to the individual architecture practice.”